UPDATE, 2:00 PM:  And boom goes the dynamite

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22-3, 4 CGs, 2 SHOs, 223.3 IP, 170/34 K/BB, 3.8% BB/PA, 19.1% K/PA, .304 BABIP, 0.48 HR/9, 1.11 WHIP, 2.54 ERA, 175 ERA+, 3.81 tRA, 141 tRA+

I figure at about oh, say 3:00 PM (or whenever the award gets announced) this can change into the Official Cliff Lee Cy Young Celebration Thread, sponsored by the worst web site ever.  Until then just go nuts.

I'll be the first one to say I was pretty miffed when Cliff Lee A) wasn't traded, B) won a starting job out of spring training.  I thought Aaron Laffey would pitch circles around him.

For a good laugh, head over to this article which explains why Roy Halladay is the deserving Cy Young winner.  Listen, I've heard the discussion several times.  There's no doubt that Halladay is a better pitcher but Cliff Lee just had a better year.  You can't fault someone for competition or what they would have done.  Or can you?  Anyway, the best part of the article:

Removing the stat lines from Halladay's six worst starts (an average of one per month), he was 19-7, with a 1.88 ERA in 191 1/3 innings. Defensive lapses sometimes contributed more than him having bad stuff.

Of course like a good jouirnalist he goes on to show us that without Lee's worst six starts he would be undefeated and-- what's that?  He doesn't use the same selective stat-picking for Lee?  Interesting.  And I'm not quite sure how many defensive lapses the best defense in baseball had this year.

Anyway, have at it.  Back to back Cy Young winners is an impressive feat.  No pressure, Fausto.

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A simple poll.  I want to know who everyone is rooting for (not necessarily who we think will win).

Are we as a community pulling for the Rays, a worst-to-first story filled with a young and likable cast of characters, many of whom project to be some of the game's brighter stars in years to come?  They are responsible for many Boston fans gnashing their teeth.

Or are we throwing our support behind the Phillies, who field an MVP-caliber infield and are managed by the "aw shucks" good ol' boy Charlie Manuel?  Several people on the site, including one of our esteemed moderators, think of Phillie as their second team.  They are responsible for many New York (Mets) fans gnashing their teeth-- and knocked Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre out of the spotlight.

Rays RS/RA:  774-671

Phillies RS/RA:  799-680

Also!  We already know that everyone's #1 team is the Cleveland Indians.  There's no need to say "C. The Indians, lol"